Fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in Czechia grew from 125.5 thousand tons to 136.7 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by rising domestic pork production, supported by higher slaughter numbers and increasing prices for slaughter pigs. Additionally, the global African swine fever outbreak in China during 2020 significantly boosted pork imports into the European Union, including Czechia, further enlarging the available supply on the local market.

After peaking in 2020, the market entered a sustained contraction, declining to 113.2 thousand tons by 2024. The primary driver was a persistent reduction in Czech pork output due to decreasing herds of sows and pigs for fattening. External shocks exacerbated the downturn: the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caused a spike in grain prices, raising production costs and discouraging farmers. At the same time, per capita meat consumption in the country fell, reducing overall demand.

Within this overall decline, certain structural shifts occurred. The perceived higher quality of Czech pork compared to imported meat influenced consumer preferences, while the growing market for organic foods may have altered spending patterns within the meat segment. However, these factors did not reverse the dominant trend of shrinking market volume.

Production fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Czechia's production of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses declined in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 244.9 million US dollars, marking a 1.5% year-on-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 11.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 248.6 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 12.3% also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Czechia's production of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses increased for the third consecutive year in volume terms. In 2020, output reached 106.0 thousand tonnes, up 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Czechia's exports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses rose for the second straight year in volume. In 2020, exports totaled 13 324 tonnes, a significant 33.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 571 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia was the dominant market for Czechia's exports in volume, accounting for 84.6% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Czechia's exports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports amounted to 25 115 thousand US dollars, showing a robust 20.7% gain over 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 18 414 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 29.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Slovakia accounted for 84.3% of Czechia's total export value for these products. The remaining value was shared among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2017-2020

Imports fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Czechia's imports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses grew for the second year in a row in volume. In 2020, imports reached 44 046 tonnes, reflecting a 13.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 33 805 tonnes, which saw a 15.0% decline, while the largest increase of 15.0% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium and Germany together dominated Czechia's imports in volume, capturing 81.3% of total flows. The rest was thinly spread across other markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Czechia's imports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports stood at 96 346 thousand US dollars, up 6.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 71 640 thousand US dollars, which saw a 20.9% decline, while the largest increase of 26.7% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Poland, and Germany formed the main cluster of markets for Czechia's imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 59.1% of imports, Poland for 18.4%, and Germany for 17.2%, together representing 94.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2017-2020